Barbara Knight

Barbara Knight is Northeast Ohio's premier big band jazz singer. Since 1993, Barbara has been the female vocalist with the acclaimed Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. She has also performed all over the Tri-State region, working with national big bands such as the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and The Famous Jazz Orchestra. In May of 2001, she entered the recording studio with the 16-piece CJO plus strings to record her first compact disc, “Night And Day”. In 2003, Barbara made her Severence Hall debut as the guest vocalist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra for their New Year’s Eve Spectacular. She continues to be a frequent guest artist with the Pops, college jazz ensembles, and regional big bands, as well as being a featured vocalist at the Lakeland Jazz Fest in 2003 and 2004 and participating yearly in the Tri-C Jazz Fest “Song Is You” series.
“Angel Eyes” indicates a new direction for Barbara. Her quintet features Jack Schantz on flugelhorn, David Morgan on bass, Russell Schmidt on piano, and Jim Rupp on drums. This all-star ensemble allows Barbara to return to her creative roots, singing with an intimacy impossible to achieve in front of a 16-piece big band. In this latest release, she introduces fresh interpretations of the classic jazz standards, arranged by bassist David Morgan as well as several by Barbara herself. Two of the songs on this CD are originals written by band members, the beautiful ballad “A Single Flower” by saxophonist Howie Smith and Morgan’s own “Choices”, both tunes including new lyrics by Barbara. Another memorable feature of the CD is the four duets, each with a different member of the band, making this recording unlike any other in the vocal jazz genre.
ABOUT BARBARA KNIGHT'S CD ANGEL EYES:
"Vocalist Barbara Knight delivers a diverse 14-tune set of all-time favorites, accompanied by Russell Schmidt (piano), Dave Morgan (bass), Jim Rupp (drums), Jack Schantz (flugelhorn) and guests Howie Smith (saxophones on two tracks) and Ron Busch (vibraphone on one track)....Knight’s warm, mid-range voice caresses each song with meaning. At any tempo, she is comfortable with the lyrics and injects fresh air into each song, most arranged by Morgan. Among the best, an up tempo version of “You Go To My Head” also spotlights a fine solo by Schantz. “You Don’t Know What Love Is” is nicely refashioned by Knight and crew. The title tune, arranged by Knight, is delivered with smoky feeling heightened by funky bass lines from Morgan and Schantz’s flugelhorn musings. Smith adds punch to “What Is This Thing Called Love?”, given a funky beat by Knight’s arrangement. The fare includes unique takes on “Spring Is Here,” “Skylark” (performed in duet with Schantz) “Lullaby of Birdland,” “Old Devil Moon,” and more....A good choice of material, unique arrangements, solid musicianship and Knight’s lovely voice make this CD one you’ll want to replay. For more info on Knight, check out www.barbaraknight.net."
Nancy Ann Lee, jazz critic, Jazz and Blues Report
"Having not heard Barbara Knight before, I was very surprised by her creativity, maturity, warm voice and excellent improvising skills. Based in Cleveland where she sings with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and is often known as a big band singer, on Angel Eyes she is joined by her quintet. Along the way Ms. Knight takes a duet with each of her sidemen including drummer Jim Rupp (“Secret Love”), pianist Russell Schmidt (“A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square”), bassist Dave Morgan (“Lullaby Of Birdland”) and flugelhornist Jack Schantz (“Skylark”). Vibraphonist Ron Busch and Howie Smith (on alto and soprano) also make appearances. Dave Morgan and the singer are responsible for the colorful arrangements. Such songs as "You Go To My Head," "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Old Devil Moon" are given fresh treatments full of subtle surprises, making this CD a perfect introduction to Barbara Knight, a singer who takes chances and has the technique and abilities to constantly succeed."
Scott Yanow, jazz critic, Los Angeles Jazz Scene magazine
/style